THE COVERT-, ROAD-, AND PARK-HACK 119 



For this purpose the hack must be a galloper, capable of keeping up a fast 

 hand-gallop all the way from point to point : he should be an easy goer at 

 this pace, safe, and clever enough to take any moderate fence which may 

 interfere with a short cut from one point to another. Green lanes are 

 often very deep, and it would be impossible to get along them at the 

 desired pace ; the only alternative therefore is to turn out on the adjoining 

 sound ground, and get over or through the fences as well as the hack is 

 capable of doing them. If he is a perfect covert-hack he will creep or 

 jump in hand, or get across the country in some way, according to the 

 weight he has to carry; and he should therefore be a miniature hunter, 

 with the additional requisite of being a good hack on the road. Many a 

 horse is a pleasant and safe goer on soft ground, but if he is set going on a 

 turnpike-road, he will roll over his rider in the first half-mile. This is what the 

 covert-hack should not be ; what he should be is, a clever and safe galloper. 

 A trotter is tiring, in the first place ; and in the second, is not suited for 

 the green sides of a road or the green lanes which can generally be met 

 with in reaching the meet. About 14 hands is the best average size for 

 these hacks, whatever the rider may be ; if for 1 6 stone or upwards, 

 the hack must be a cob; but if for much less, he may be blood-like, or 

 even quite thoroughbred, if he can be obtained of that breed with sufficient 

 action. Most covert-hacks, however, are undersized hunters, the produce 

 of mares intended to breed something more valuable in the market ; but 

 not growing into the contemplated proportions, the breeder is obliged to 

 sell them as hacks ; and when fast and clever enough, they are devoted to 

 the purpose now under consideration. Action is the main point ; not too 

 high, so as to throw time and space away, but a fast stealing-away kind of 

 style, which gets over the ground without distressing either horse or rider. 

 If the hack can get along in this way, safely over all sorts of ground, and 

 can last at his three-quarter pace for ten or a dozen miles, he is a good 

 covert-hack, let his appearance be what it may ; but most men prefer good 

 looks in addition, especially as these hacks are available during the summer 

 for other purposes. A neat head and neck, with a general outline cal- 

 culated to please the eye, are therefore eagerly looked for; and 'the con- 

 sequence is that one of 14 hands, or a little more, tolerably well-bred 

 and good-looking, which is capable of carrying from 12 to 16 stone 

 comfortably, and at a fast pace for the distance above specified, is worth 

 from 50. to 100., according to his looks and action. A good judge will 

 of course suit himself for one-half the lower sum ; but in London, or any 

 of the best hunting countries, such an animal is worth as much as I have 

 stated. It must be recollected that he requires all the good qualities of 

 the horse, except flying speed and great size ; and that he must possess 

 beauty of form and good temper, safe and fast action, cleverness, and 

 above all good sound feet and legs to stand the battering of the roads over 

 which he must often be ridden at his three-quarter pace. Now, many 

 scores of hacks, so called, may be looked over before a good judge could 



accomplished in one day. At any of the great Metropolitan termini may now be seen horse- 

 boxes being put together to convey " the horse and his rider," aye and his groom too, at a 

 swift pace and a low rate to some stations near the covert-side. Dressing and breakfasting 

 may be done in the train, and a change to comfort and dry things again effected on the 

 return journey, and in time to attend some social function. 



